MSP owner...time to post your pic!!!!

[Newf]

I got them from Tekkie. I noticed he had an avatar that I have never seen before so I asked where he got it to.....bla bla bla......then he sent the pics to me. Awesome pics, I just had to share. I hope I didn't share something I wasn't supposed to.

 

[krillin]

Where the hell are all the stateside MSP's at. grrrr Nice pix to all of you buy the way.

hey apex,

i'm down in so cal and also waiting for my car. i've been wondering the same thing. it seems more people back east are getting their cars first. i assumed that since the cars were at port hueneme that CA would see them sooner. i'm hoping something turns up in the next two weeks. it's been too long already.

 

[Grimace]

Newf, I'm sure its ok, since the article has already come out on print. However, in the article, they only had the middle picture, and a really small one at that, so I was surprised to see the other pictures I didn't know existed.
Very cool, they are awesome pics.

 

[Limited Edition]

Those photos are from World of Wheels, in the shootout they did between the L-tuned IS300 and the MSP, correct? If I recall, the MSP was a much better track car. How'd you get a hold of those pictures?? Does someone here work for the magazine? GET ME A JOB THERE!

Hey..
How do they make our MSP/Mp3's such a increible handling car? I mean, how can tokico shocks, racing beat tuned springs, sway bars and LSD make this car such a 'kick ass'?

L-tuned IS300 is nearly or more than double the cost of a MSP. Should this mean that Lexus should spend more money into handling technology or work on their suspension components?

I understand that Lexus is a luxury car, but when we're talking 'L-tuned' products, meaning Lexus's performance lines... They should be able to kick Mazdaspeed's butt no problem. After All, you do pay for what you get, don't you?

 

[AutoXer]

Limited, it's probably an issue of compromise, and vehicle weight. Lexus is a luxury car, so even a performance model has to drive very smooth, which can make having a stiff suspension somewhat difficult.

I'm not sure of the actual weight of the Lexus, but I'm sure it's probably low to mid 3000 lbs, which is hefty in comparison to the MSP. Weight has a big impact on a car's handling capabilities.

 

[1sty]

Weight till the rear bushings start to clunk and the struts all squek like crazy, then you'll know why Lexus doesn't try the same thing.

 

[MazdaSpeed.ca]

About those sticker, I already showing them all: 3 in engine, 1 in the back, 1 on the side of the wing, 1 on the wheel, actually there's two more, 1 above the shift, 1 above the a/c control.

Uhhhhhh, errrrrrrrrrrr

Put another sticker on it, lol :wtf:

 

[Grimace]

Limited Edition - here is the article from World of Wheels, January 2003. I've typed it here since its not online yet (at http://www.autonet.ca/wow/main.cfm).

Lexus IS300 L-Tuned and Mazdaspeed Protege
Okay, this doesn't really make a lot of sense, given that our L-Tuned IS tester stickered at almost double the Mazdaspeed's bargain $26995.
But look. Both are compact sporty sedans with big alloys and rubber-band tires; both are lowered (though the Mazdaspeed not that much), have fat exhaust pipes and sufficient foglight wattage to illuminate your whole neighbourhood.
After spending time in both cars on road and on track, we've come to realize again that what makes a great-driving road car doesn't necessarily make for a great track ride.
The IS300 is terrific on the road, with tons of grip and a tossable nature, but ask more of it on a racetrack, and it feels soft, especially compared with the tiger-like Protege, which even with just 170 HP to the Lexus' 223, humbled it with precise steering, awesome brakes, and amazing grip from its Bridgestone RE040 tires (the Lexus had Bridgestones, too, but on the damp track, they were way slippy). The Mazda, even with front wheel drive, is also more willing to have its tail help out in cornering.
Still, we love the look of the gunmetal-coloured souped-up IS, and it's a beautifully balanced package on the road, where you'll end up using it. But remember that next year, Mazdaspeed Proteges will come in gunmental, too.

The IS300 has a curbweight of 3274 lbs according to Lexus (although R&T measured it at 3400 lbs without a driver, so take that with a grain of salt). Thats a lot of mass to ask the suspension to handle in the corners, especially considering the IS300 isn't much bigger than the Protege (51 mm longer, 16 mm wider, and 25 mm less tall.)

 

[Limited Edition]

Thanks Grimace!(drinks)

 

[JasonH]

Thats a lot of mass to ask the suspension to handle in the corners, especially considering the IS300 isn't much bigger than the Protege (51 mm longer, 16 mm wider, and 25 mm shorter.)

Longer wheelbase but shorter overall? I'm too lazy to look it up myself.

 

[Grimace]

Longer wheelbase but shorter overall? I'm too lazy to look it up myself.

Sorry, I meant height-wise, I should have been more clear. Corrected it above.

 

[BDF02PR5]

License Plates!

To all who have pics on here...I just want to say you all have crap for brains putting pics on the net with your license plates showing... Anybody can get DMV records and before you know it....your MSP will be history... all you need to do is edit your pics and black out your plates.

 

[Grimace]

You don't think the bright orange paint would attract more theives? Or are these car theives scouring the internet for license plates in pictures on automotive forums?

 

[Newf]

the license plate thing is something to worry about. I wouldn't do it.

 

[BDF02PR5]

Explaination

People who view the pics have a clear shot at the license plate on some of these cars. People can than take that number and get the stats (owner, address) from the DMV. It takes a lot to hack into the system but I am sure people know how to do it. It is just smarter to blur the plates if you put your car online...

 

[JasonH]

Re: Explaination

People who view the pics have a clear shot at the license plate on some of these cars. People can than take that number and get the stats (owner, address) from the DMV. It takes a lot to hack into the system but I am sure people know how to do it. It is just smarter to blur the plates if you put your car online...

You are dumb.

 

[BDF02PR5]

Dumb or Precautious

Am I, or am I just precautious? Who's got my back?

 

[slug420]

i dunno....it is technically possible....


BUT i dont think the msp is rare, or valuable enough to where they will wanna look up and find out where one from a picture is located so that they can go steal it. i dont forsee the msp being on the list in gone in 60 seconds part 2...... and even if they did, my orange msp? there's only like 350 of em in the US, so it is entirely feasible for cops to check out every orange protege they see, nationwide, to see if its stolen. and if they are gonna repaint it, why steal my orange one? and for the common street thugs lookin to jack my SHIFT KNOB? SPARCO PEDALS? KENWOOD 8" SUB? puh-lease.....if they are dumb enough to break into a car for things as inexpensive as those, then they didnt use the DMV's computer to find out where I live beforehand......

on another note, when im at a car show im gonna leave my msp vanity plates on to show em off and im not gonna be able ot say boo when joe schmoe posts a pic of my msp with an unblurred plate on "cardomain" or someplace....similarly, since I have discussed on this forum what my vanity plates are gonna say, and said repeatedly that im from CT, a "hacker" wouldnt even need a picture of my car to look me up

 

[BDF02PR5]

Just an FYI

I think it is so funny how people take a simple precaution so out to the looney bin... I was simply making a kind gesture to let people in on what I have heard and what my friends and I have done... (removing the plates) that its.

B

 

[AutoXer]

"you all have crap for brains" doesn't really come across as a kind gesture...

It sounds more like a 'let me tell you how stupid y'all are...'